Movies-TV

My kind of movie.

"No Escape" was a great movie. Although parts of it did remind me a lot of "The Island of Dr. Moreau". It's a bad comparison but it is unfortunately true. I'm a big fan of the tragic hero type movie. And the whole struggle to overcome ones past (or ones future for that matter). And this movie fits right in there. Another factor that has always been popular with me is the struggle to overcome an "evil" oppressor, which is quite evident in this film.

A dark, action-packed boys own action adventure

STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits In the year 2022, Marine Captain John Robbins (Ray Liotta) is sent to the island peninsula Absolom, a prison from which, as the title suggests, there is 'no escape' (unless you consider death an escape!) Upon arrival there, he is drawn into the Outsiders's camp, a band of savage lunatics lead by the charming and charismatic but no-less psychotic Walter Marrack (Stuart Wilson.) Escaping from them within an inch of his life, he lands in The Insiders's camp, a more civil, decent band of prisoners lead by The Father (genre favourite Lance Henriksen) a former surgeon with such a compassionate and reasonable nature most of the other inmates think he's the only innocent man on the island. They really want him to join them, but Robbins's only desire remains to escape. When he discovers a means of doing this, he offers to go back to The Outsiders's camp and get something they really need. But in doing so, he draws them all into a brutal final confrontation with The Outsiders which will have only one winner.When this film first came out, a lot of critics drew comparisons with (the vastly over-rated, in my opinion) Mad Max, and indeed the film does share quite a similar sort of production design and set-up. Like Max, it was even filmed in Australia. But of the 20 or so times I've seen it since I was 11, No Escape is a film I never felt got the appreciation it deserved.Interesting piece of trivia IMDb doesn't tell you (yet) is that the film has no female characters and, as I said, No Escape is quite a boys-own adventure type film. Hopefully not too many guys made the mistake of making it their date movie in 1994. Despite some of the bloody violence on offer (including decapitations and impalings) the film still got away with a 15 certificate, which has a point because the film has that appeal about it that makes it most suited to those boys on the lower end of puberty.Despite some humorous interludes, the film mostly boasts a very dark and serious kind of feel to it that will limit it's appeal to some (but not to this viewer!) But it can also boast a wonderful, sweeping musical score, some nice cinematography of the sea and the island and a great cast. Ray Liotta isn't your typical action man, but he comes off as more than well-suited to the role, with a straight-faced sternness and authority through-out that convinces. As is Stuart Wilson as the chief villain, a charismatic, wise-cracking, head-chopping, fight to the death loving kind of guy with appeal. That's not to mention quite a colourful supporting cast, including Lance Henriksen, Ernie Hudson, Jack Shepherd and Kevin J O Connor. And lets not forget some brilliant action, including some neat explosions.What can I say?, it's a film I've seen many times since I was a boy and I still have quite a fondness for. I do feel like I've grown out of it a little now, but it's still a great action film, with a great hero, great villain, great story and great action. A very under-rated film and a nice example of what director Martin Campbell did before making such bigger name action films as the James Bond movie Goldeneye and The Mask of Zorro. ****

first half bad, second half better

There's nothing surprising or earth-shattering about No Escape, and quite frankly, I didn't expect there to be, but I did expect a bit more out of Ray Liotta's character; he seemed to mail this one in as a soldier sent to prison, and ends up on an island full of bad dudes. First half is slightly dull as not much of consequence happens, as we're introduced to the warden, played decently enough by Michael Lerner, and we see Robbins(Liotta) sent to said island occupied by the Outsiders and the Insiders. Stuart Wilson is the most memorable character from this film, and he's the leader of the Outsiders, and hams it up rather well. Lance Henriksen is under used, and that's too bad, because he would make a terrific enemy, but he portrays the Father, leader of the Insiders. In regards to Robbins, I never got the sense he was this angry ex-soldier until very late in the film. He's on this island for killing a general or something because he's upset about killing innocent people in the war.The second half adds slightly more development in terms of story and characters, and a few decent battles between the sides take place. We meet a few more inmates, namely Ernie Hudson and Kevin Dillon, while both under used again, add to the story a bit, although Marek steals the show and is both funny and sadistic. We all knew the good guys would win and the warden will get what's coming to him, but I was pleasantly surprised how this came together, and it almost makes up for the slow first half.Overall, I expected more from Ray Liotta and some more background about his character, other than he's a super soldier who can survive an epic fall from a cliff and come out with nary a scracth, but who ends up with a bazooka type weapon not damaged. Things that make you go hmmm.

Ray Liotta At His Best!

I think Ray Liotta is a great actor, the best of his films being this and Turbulence. This movie is 5 star. A great cast, director and script. I'm starting to quite like Martin Campbell. What with Goldeneye, one of the best Bond movies, Vertical Limit and Mask of Zorro. This is one of those films that deserves so much more credit than it receives. Aside to Ray Liotta are Lance Henrikson, Kevin Dillon and Stuart Wilson who really do perform. Has to be in my top 20 list of best all time movies. Very entertaining, a film i've watched over and over again on DVD. So what's it all about? Well, there's Ray, sent to a high security prison in the year 2022!, yes 2022, not very far into the future, but who cares. He brakes the rules and is sent to Absalom, a remote island where escape is impossible. You try and leave, helicopters will be alerted and you will be blown up. There, he dodges Wilson's camp, where cannibals live and many traps lie. He gets to the other camp - think its the insiders and not the outsiders. Can't remember now but anyway, he tries to start some sort of life but always with the intention of escape. Loads of wars rage between the two camps and in the end they find out that the ugly fat bloke is in contact with the max security prison. Eventually, Robbins does escape. An absolute must see!

Respectable B movie better than some blockbusters

Simple plot involves Ray Liotta's soldier character being sentenced to a prison island for the assassination of his commanding officer. Once there, he battles the typical out of control crazies trying to find his own personal redemption. He is taken under the wing of a band of soul-searching convicts led by Lance Henrickson and his right-hand man Ernie Hudson.The baddie is played decently by Stuart Wilson who I barely recognize from lackluster parts in other bigger flicks. While acting sinister enough, I thought that his highly polished teeth, and neatly trimmed beard produced a very tame look for what you'd expect to be a Mad-max type villain. Oh well, perhaps the well-coiffed Shakespearean types are more dangerous than we first assume.There are some clichéd and B-movie lines in this film but the actors seem to treat it seriously. It helps that I like all the major actors in this flick.Lots of good action on the part of Liotta, Hudson and dozens of extras. While set in the future, don't expect too many sci-fi CGI effects. Most of the action is aided by mechanical special effects done the old fashion way. In fact, I forgot by the end of the flick that the setting was in the future.The not overly complicated plot works just fine in telling this mostly action story. But is does lead me to....SORT OF SPOILER A major plot point is that Liotta's character is encouraged to leave the island to tell the world about this savage island operated illegally by a certain prison. I have two issues with this.1) some cons appear too incredibly tame to warrant expulsion to the island. It's not made clear whether some, all, or who exactly gets chosen to be moved from the prison to the island2) Assuming all the criminals are likely to be reassigned to other prisons once the truth about the island comes out, why would the good guys, who've actually constructed quite a nice island compound, want to give up their freedom in this manner?

Prison Love

No Escape is probably the closest thing to a male version of Chained Heat or any of those other bimbo prison flicks. Ray is the "newbie" on some island where criminals are dropped off and live in two seperate camps which are at war. One camp has a "Brotherly Love" motto and the other camp is run by the "Warrior Code." Both camps are made up of convicted killers who are mostly illiterate and dumber than stumps. Ray gets to see both camps up close, and he finds his soul in the "Brotherly" camp run by Lance Henrikson, the "Father." This movie should have been merged into "The Boys of Saint Vincent" and Lance Henrikson could have played the role of the child molesting priest on an island of dumb criminals. The bottom line is that this movie is long and boring, and it sucks. Ray found the characters fascinating, and he made deep ties to them in the space of a few days. Kevin Dillon plays Ray's closest friend, and the dumbest. Ernie Hudson is a sort of double crossing criminal, and Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin is in this movie doing something. I did not notice him in the movie, but saw he was in the credits. The leader of the "Bad Boys" is Stuart Wilson, who plays his role like any WWF Wrestler interviewing (advertising) the next "WRESTLEMANIA." No Escape was less entertaining than TV Wrestling, and Lnace Hnerikson and Ernie Hudson who both once had decent careers should have been ashamed to be in this movie.

edge of your seat thriller

I think no escape was the best movie I have ever seen.I think that Ray Liotta did an exceptional job.I give this movie thousands of stars,because I think this movie was the best ever made.I especially like the part where the head outsider said,"An hour in the pool with Ralph"and then Robbins threw his spear into Ralph!That was so cool!Watch this movie!

Good apdation of "The penal colony" starring Ray Liotta

"The Penal Colony" By Richard Herley, was apdapted into a 1994 prison movie set in the future by Martin Campbell (The director of GoldenEye) and Gale Ann Hurd (The producer of the terminator and aliens), this movie shows us a futuristic alcatraz where convicted prisoners are dumped and left to die. The story starts in the future, (Year 2022) When prison colonies are over powered by corporations from all over the world. Marine captain John Robbins, is convicted of a one manned homicide, by assassinating his commanding officer. Robbins (Ray Liotta) is transported to a Maximum security prison, after escaping from two prisons, The prison is for Prisoners who have failed to be Re-habed. Robbins is shortly banished, by trying to assault the prison's warden, who decides to dump him on a Prison island called "Absolom" which has two seperate society's of criminals. Robbins joins the insiders, (A civilized peaceful society of criminals) after fleeing from the outsiders (A society of savage criminals). Robbins finds himself helping the insiders fight the outsiders. the only thing that Robbins wants: is to escape. But it's impossible to escape, with gunship's as security, and being detected by a spy sattelight. Michael Lerner is good at playing the warden. you may have seen him "Godzilla" as the mayor) The good thing about the film is the special effects and costumes. And the story is good. I reccomend "No escape" a Sci-fi prison action film with no escape from the TV set.

Better Than How It First Looks

On the surface, this looks like a dumb movie which is overly violent and too seedy because it features nothing but hardened criminals plus the normal sadistic warden Hollywood always shows in all modern-day films.But....it turns out the story isn't as sordid as it looks and the violence, although plentiful, is somehow not overdone. Also, the chief villain " Walter Marek" (Stuart Wilson) is a man with a good sense of humor. The comedic relief he brings is a real plus to the story. By the way, Wilson doesn't look like Mel Gibson but his voice sure sounds similar."No Escape" is strictly an action movie with an all-male cast that has a grim atmosphere of convicts fighting it out on an inescapable island in the year 2022.Profanity isn't as much as you'd except in a tough film like this and - in a real oddity - Lance Henriksen is the nicest guy in the movie! He never utters a bad or angry word. If you know the characters Henriksen usually plays, you know this is a rarity. Ray Liotta, Michael Lerner and Ernie Hudson also star, so it's a decent cast.You could do a lot worse looking for two hours of "escapist" fare.

Where was Marek?

Didn't hate the movie, but have one question: where was Marek just after the execution that went wrong? After his friend killed himself in the pool, Robbins is about to be executed. There are four people in the room: Robbins, Marek, the executioner and a fourth guy with a mask. Bad guy Marek is standing in the doorway and the executioner drops the knife-blade. The guy with the mask (why the mask, I would never have guessed he was the good guy/spy anyway) blocks the falling knife-blade. In a split second the good guy moves three meters sideways and pierces the executioner with a spear from behind. In that very same split second Marek seems to have decided not to witness the execution after all and simply vanishes from the room. I am willing to forget the impossible three meter jump, but not the disappearance of Marek.I know, there are supposed to be holes in the scenario of a film like this. But this one is HUGE. That must be the explanation: Marek dropped in this hole.

Want to waste two hours of your life? Then see this one.

There's nothing good to say about this movie. The acting is bad, the story is lame, and the special effects, which was supposed to save this movie, are nothing special. The only funny things is when you can guess that now is this guy going to land on a sharp pole, or when a man gets his head chopped of, and it stays on for some seconds. And that's not good it's only funny because it's so bad. To make this a complete failure the movie just stops in the middle of nowhere, (maybe they ran out of money), but our hero is flying off in a helicopter while we know that 12 other hostile choppers are on their way to the scene. What happens with those? No answer is given, but who cares. Just don't watch this one!

Overlooked And Underrated Liotta Vehicle

What is it with guys like Ray Liotta and Lance Henriksen? They are great character actors, but once they take the lead, their films seem to be forgotten or ridiculed. "No Escape" is a particularly interesting flick considering that both Liotta and Henriksen appear in it. Not to mention Ernie Hudson and Stuart Wilson, who are two other top-notch actors who seem to be stuck in ruts.

This film didn't get much recognition in its day. I caught it at the movies years ago and loved it. Sure, it borrows from flicks like "Escape From New York" and I even see a little "Island of Dr. Moreau" in there, but it is an excellent film on its own merit. It has a stock story of a man who has committed a crime in order to right a wrong. He is banished to an island prison where no one escapes. On this island there are two factions: Insiders and Outsiders. One group is peaceful and lives in a semi-Utopian society whereas the other lives primarily under the rule of one man, Wilson. Henriksen plays the "Father," who quietly leads the Insiders. When Robbins, played by Liotta, falls into the game, he is sought out by Wilson's Marek, but ends up with the Insiders.

Naturally, Liotta decides he has to escape the island to prove his case and to seek out freedom. What follows is raid after raid and the eventual final battle, full of deception and action. But don't let this simplistic and borrowed tale deceive you. This is a fun film to watch and the primary characters are solidly developed.

Ernie Hudson heads up a strong supporting cast that features Kevin Dillon as a hard-luck innocent and Michael Lerner takes a nasty turn as the Warden. You'll recognize Hudson from "Ghostbusters I & II." He played Winston. Dillon was in the remake of "The Blob" and Lerner played the mayor of NYC in "Godzilla" with Matthew Broderick. There are other recognizable faces in the crowd as well.

If you're looking for a solid film with good production and a wonderful plot(though not very original), you're sure to enjoy "No Escape." Check it out and add it to your Ray Liotta library. He's an oft-overlooked actor who deserves better accolades.

No Escape from terrible dialouge

This movie was just stupid. While I think the whole concept of the movie is creative and had potential, that hope shattered about three minutes into the movie. I loved Ray Liotta in "Goodfellas", but his descendance into bottomless pits such as "Copland", "Operation Dumbo Drop", and now this...lead me to question whether or not Liotta has some real-life serious debts to the Mafia for which he urgently needs quick cash to pay off, and is willing to sacrifice his professional credibility to save his kneecaps.

I struggled to stifle my yawns as Liotta sheds forced tears for all the women and children he bombed in some former war, and my indifference grew by the nanosecond as the special effects (so called) of that bombing frightfully paralleled those of "Battlefield Earth".

The evil warlord is, like in "The Postman", some washed up, over the hill, unshaven hippie whom everybody is terrified of. As he pits Liotta, a veteran special forces commando, against a fellow tribesman in a fighting pit, he threatens them both to start fighting before he "jumps in there and kills them both". So these two men, one a young man and the other the special forces soldier, instantly take to each other's throats to avoid the wrath of this crusty old prune.

When the warlord and his men storm the peaceful villiage and find it empty, Liotta pops up from a watchtower and screams the devastatingly-insulting, ego-shattering, insomnia-inducing war cry, "You want it? Come and get it!" Oooooh. The teeth-gritting warlord, so furiously enraged by this terrible, unbearable taunt, attacks with full force and, of course, loses. Liotta pulls an RPG out of the sky and uses it to blow them all away.

Two stars for potential plot and my thread-lingering respect for Liotta. Minus five stars for this mangling of "Lord of the Flies With Assault Weapons and Air Strikes".

Just Watch It

OK, maybe it didn't win the Acedemy Award. Ray Liotta didn't win a Golden Globe. But, this is a high;y entertaining movie. I went into it with no expectations and was happy when I walked out. Thats all I can ask. Don't break it down, don't critique the plot, just watch the movie. This is what Snake on a Plane tried to be........and BTW is it just me or is Lance Hendrickson passing Gene hackman for most movies ever? He was in the Terminator.OK, I will keep writing until it allows me to post. I can write all day. Have I told you my review of Leonard Pt 6? i haven't? well let me go on............Jello, has Bill Cosby ever made a good movie? Or Ted Danson? Or David Caruso? or Alan Alda........good lord, I have to go on>

Somewhat stylish direction boosted by tight script

No Escape was directed by Martin Campbell of Goldeneye and Mask of Zorro fame. So, you might expect that it's a tightly-edited, competently-made film with brief flashes of style. That's exactly what it is. Especially for the first third of the film until Liotta meets the 'good guys', Campbell does a nice job giving the film a certain visual flair that you wouldn't expect in what's essentially a B-class action movie. For the remaining 2 thirds, the direction is more straightforward and takes second-place to the plot. This is fine, as the plot is pretty compelling, with some clever twists and turns despite many cliches. The scene where they try to send a ship off the island creates real tension. Bottomline, it's cliche-ridden, but the execution makes up for it.

The picture on the DVD isn't up to major Hollywood studio standards, but it's not terrible and more importantly it is widescreen. The sound is equally acceptable. For this type of film (Action, B-movie), all the DVD has to be is widescreen and cheap. The No Escape DVD fulfills those requirements.

Trashy but very good fun

Ray Liotta plays Robbins, a criminal sent to an island prison where, due to lack of supervision, the inmates have formed two tribes. The hippy tribe is led by the great Lance Henriksen, while Stuart Wilson enjoys himself delivering cheesy one liners as the main bad guy.Ray Liotta isn't exactly riding a post-Goodfellas high with this film, but its still very entertaining as trashy action fare. Liotta has a role that would probably be reserved for Arnold or Sly if this was a bigger production, but still makes a good job of playing a violent anti-hero. There are some great battle scenes and fun supporting performances.Overall there isn't really much else to say about "No Escape", apart from you will be entertained if you enjoy action films that you can't take too seriously. If I'm objective I can't score it very highly but for entertainment value it gets 4/5.

"First prize is a chance to live, second prize... you really don't want to hear what the second prize is."

Entertaining future-prison fun, competently directed by Martin Campbell
(just look at his early credits. He's come a long way since the 70's). Sure, the plot's shot full of holes (what was with all that stuff about the thermal activity on the island? Maybe I missed something at the start), but personally I always find anything with Ernie Hudson involved is always watchable. A couple of things though: Did the Insiders fighting gear remind anyone else of what the Lost Boys wear during the big battle at the end of 'Hook'? Probably just me then. Also, why would there be so many British prisoners in a American jail? We've got Wycliffe, Ian McNiece and that Whiskey guy (again, I probably missed something at the start).

Truly No Escape

In the 'Love it or Loathe it' vein, I fall firmly in the latter camp. There is truly no escape from the utter tedium of this pointless drivel. In the future, prisoners will be made to watch this film as their ultimate punishment. I am only sorry that zero is not a rating option.

NOT QUITE ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

No Escape liberally borrows a number of different plot elements from 1981's Escape from New York. An Island prison set in the near future where none can escape from and the prisoners have fallen under the leadership of powerful, tribal-like warlords. Escape from New York did it better and Manhattan Island makes for a much more interesting prison than a delsolate jungle island. But that's not to say "No Escape" isn't good. It is, it's just not totally original.

Ray Liotta plays Robbins, a soldier who shoots his commanding officer after a botched attack kills hundreds of innocent villagers. Robbins is sent to the Island prison called Absolom, where no one has ever escaped from. The Island is comprised of two warring factions: The Outsiders who are a savage, tribal group led by a ruthless warlord named Marek (Stuart Wilson), and the Insiders, a more peaceful, communal group led by the zen-like "Father" (Lance Henricksen).


Robbins is captured by the Outsiders and is tested by Marek in a death match with another member. Robbins dispatches him quickly, impressing Marek who offers Robbins a "position on his staff". Robbins wants no part and escapes, eventually being taken in by the insiders. The insiders have built a community where they farm, raise livestock, and have built simple machines like windmills, looms, and stills. They constantly have to fight off raids from The Outsiders and can use a man like Robbins.


There are several battle scenes as the Outsiders raid the Insiders wooden fortress, meanwhile the warden of the prison played by Michael Lerner keeps a close eye on things, especially Robbins through satellites, and other hi-tech means.

No Escape is a solid if unoriginal action/sci-fi flick. The characters are pretty two-dimensional. Lerner is the ruthless Warden, Ernie Hudson is Hawkins, the head of security for the Insiders, Kevin Dillon is Casey, the young prisoner who gets attached to Robbins, and Kevin J. O'Connor is the conniving supply man Stephano. The movie is derivitive of so many others but is well made and fun. Good escapist action.

Actually This Is Kind Of Fun

Ray Liota stars in this sci-fi actioner, sent to an in-escapable island prison he bands together with a group of fellow inmates to fight off a band of savages. Stuart Wilson plays Marek the psycho leader of the savages and his over the top portrayal fits in with the late night b-movie feel. Also appearing are a whole host of British character actors along with Lance Henrickson and Ernie Hudson who seem to make a living off this type of direct to video fare.If your not into sci-fi or action you may as well leave now, this is one of those films that regular appears late at night on the movie channel and is worth watching because it's a fun no brainer. The best way to describe it is a cross of Mad Max and Fortress the Christopher Lambert Sci-Fi effort. This film is superior to Fortress but falls way short of Mad Max.Liota is pretty good but this is no where near his quality of performance in Goodfella's and to be honest it doesn't need to be as this is b-movie action fun not Scorsese. He drives the plot along and carries the action scenes off well. Lance Henrikson is reliable as ever and adds to his impressive list of fantasy/sci-fi appearances, Ernie Hudson is OK but will never escape from the isn't that the fourth guy in ghostbusters who didn't have much to do? One for the late night sci-fi / b-movie fans 6/10